Blackboard bench



pr 28, 1959 F. JONES ET AL 2,883,769

BLACKBOARD BENCH Filed Dec. 27, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS, Forresf Jon es Eliza )5 eff) Jones BY myzwwo% ATTD RN EYS April 28, 1959 F. JONES ET AL 2,883,769

BLACKBOARD BENCH Y Filed Dec. 27} 1957 2 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 j INVENTORS, Forresf. Jones E lizabeT/p Jones ATTD RNEYS BLACKBOARD BENCH Forrest Jones and Elizabeth Jones, Pottersville, N.Y.

. Application December 27, 1957, Serial No. 705,568 v Claims. (Cl. 35-60) This invention relates to an article of furniture, and more particularly to a blackboard bench for use by children.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which can be used as a convenient blackboard bench by children, and wherein the device includes a base portion which is provided with a seat whereby children can conveniently write on a blackboard which forms a part of the device, and wherein the blackboard can be adjusted to various difierent positions as desired or required by the child.

Another object of the invention is to provide a, blackboard bench which includes a base that includes a convenient means for storing various articles," and wherein in one form of the invention an apertured peg board is arranged contiguous to the blackboard so that the peg board can be used by the child for added enjoyment or educational purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a .blackboard bench which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure l is a perspective view illustrating the blackboard bench of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the blackboard bench of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the blackboard bench.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

United States Patent j r 2,883,769 Patent ed Apr. 28, 1959 bench accidentally tipping over is minimized or prevented.

Extending between the lower portions of the side members 12 and secured thereto is a horizontally disposed bottom wall 13, Figure 3. The numeral 14 indicates a horizontally disposed seat which extends between the upper ends of the side walls 12 and is secured thereto. These members coact to define within the base 11 a compartment or space 15 which can be used for conveniently storing or holding various articles such as articles which are useful to the child.

Extending between the lower portions of the side mem: bers 12 and secured thereto are braces 16, Figure 1, and the upper edge of each brace 16 is recessed or scalloped as at 17.

There is further provided a pair of horizontally dis posed bars 18 which extend between the upper portion of the side members 12 and which is secured thereto, and the end portions 19 of the bars 18 project beyond the side members 12 as shown in Figure 6, for example. These projecting portions 19 are bevelled or inclined as at 20, for a purpose to be later described.

The blackboard bench 10 of the present invention fur-. ther includes a pair of movable spaced parallel arms 21, and the arms 21 can shift from the solid line position shown in Figure 2 to the dotted line position of Figure 2 and vice versa. The side members 12 of the base 11 are each provided with a plurality of spaced apart apertures or openings 22, and the numeral 23 indicates pivot pins or bolts which extend through the lower ends of the arms 21 and through certain of the openings 22. A wing nut 24 may be arranged on the inner end of each bolt 23, Figure 1.

Extending between the intermediate portions of the arms 21 and secured thereto is a ledge or cross member 25, and the ledge 25 is provided with a slot 26, Figure 3. The numeral 27 indicates molding strips which are se cured to the ledge 25. As shown in Figure 5, the upper inner portions of the arms 21 are provided with opposed slots 28, and the numeral 29 indicates a cross piece which extends between the upper ends of the arms 21 and is provided with a slot 30, and securing elements 31 which may be bolts or screws, are provided for detachably securing the cross piece 29 in place between the arms 21. The numeral 32 indicates a blackboard which has its outer edges engaging the slots 26, as well as the slot 28 Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one of the stop members.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view with parts broken away and in section, and showing a modification wherein a peg board is used along with the blackboard.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a blackboard bench of the present invention, and the blackboard bench 10 comprises a base which is indicated generally by the numeral 11. The base 11 includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side members 12 which each have a trapezoidal shape so that the lower portions of the side members 12 are wider than the upper portions. This has the elfect of providing increased stability for the device when the device is being used by a child whereby the possibility of the blackboard and the slot 30, whereby the blackboard 32 is retained in its proper position. As shown in the modification of Figure 7, a peg board 33 may be arranged adjacent the blackboard 32, and the peg board 33 is provided with a plurality of apertures or openings 34.

The lower edge portion of the bars 18 may also be scalloped or recessed as at 35.

As shown in Figure 2, the base 11 includes lower gliders 36 whereby the blackboard bench can be conveniently moved from place to place without damaging floor surfaces or the like. The numeral 37 indicates a cutout or opening which is arranged in the cross piece 29, and the opening 37 defines a hand hold which can be used for facilitating the handling or manipulation of the blackboard bench.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided an article of furniture which is in the nature of a blackboard bench, and wherein the blackboard bench can be ,used for educational or recreational purassaaee poses by children. In use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, the child can sit on the seat '14, and then the child can write with chalk on the blackboard 32. The chalk, pencils or the like can be conveniently supported on the ledge 25 between the molding strips 27 and the blackboard 32. This construction will prevent the chalk or pencils from accidentally falling ofi of the ledge. The blackboard 32 is retained in place by means of the cross piece 29, and the edges of the blackboard 32 engage the previously described slots so as to provide a firm support for the blackboard. When the blackboard is being used, the arms 21 engage the inclined or beveled surfaces 29 on the bars 18 so as to provide a limit stop for the blackboard and arms. The pins 23 provide a pivotal support for the arms 21 so that for example, the arms 21 and blackboard can be moved from the solid line position shown in Figure 2 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2 or vice versa, and this arrangement permits both sides of the blackboard to be used. The space within the base 11 defines a convenient compartment for holding various articles which are used by children. The plurality of openings 22 permit the wing nuts 24 to be removed from the bolt 23 whereby the bolt 23 can be extended through other openings 22 so that the effective height of the arms 21 and blackboard 32 can be changed or varied as desired. As shown in Figure 7, the peg board 33 may also be mounted between the arms 21 so that an additional item of usefulness for the child is provided.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

The blackboard bench to of the present invention is economical and simple to manufacture or fabricate, and the device is highly versatile. Thus, with the blackboard assembly in place, the unit can also be used as an auxiliary :bench or seat. Furthermore, by raising the blackboard assembly to its highest position, the unit will have a more fiat working angle so as to make it a comfortable drawing or writing board for older children. The beveled surfaces 26 are engaged by the arms 21 so as to prevent denting or damage to the arms 21. The trapezoidal shape of the side members 12 insures that the device will have increased stability so as to prevent accidental tipping over of the device.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided an article of juvenile furniture or a toy which is in the nature of a blackboard bench. The device includes a low seat, stool or bench in conjunction with a childs type of blackboard. The parts may be made of a suitable material such as wood, metal or plastic. The bench or base supports the blackboard assembly by means of the arms 21 and the series of openings 22 permit the blackboard assembly to be either raised or lowered to suit the individual size requirements of children ranging in size from pre-school age to high-school age or the like. The end portions 19 of the bars 13 provide a positive stop for the swinging blackboard assembly. The ledge is provided with the molding strips 27 which forms a shelf whereby chalk, crayons, pencils and the like can be kept in place regardless of the position of the blackboard assembly. The hand hold 37 in the cross piece 29 provides a convenient means of lifting the blackboard bench and moving it about without the necessity of stooping over. The writing surface of the blackboard assembly may either be slate or painted Masonite, hardboard or the like, and the blackboard 32 is contained within the blackboard frame by fitting it into slots as previously described. By removing the screws 3.1, the cross piece 29 can .be removed to permit removal and replacement of the blackboard 32. in the arrangement shown in Figure 7, one surface 32 can be used as a blackboard panel, while the other side 33 can be used as a peg board.

Some of the advantages of the present invention are as follows. The device is extremely rugged and is stronger than easel types of blackboards. The device is rigid and 'being used than the easel type blachboards and the weight of the child serves to anchor the device and keep it firmly in place. Furthermore, the unit is compact and takes up less floor space than an easel type of blackboard of equal size. The storage space 15 within the base provides built in storage area for books, paper, chalk, crayons, pencils and the like so that such items are kept off of the floor in a readily accessible location which encourages tidiness. The design may be made flexible so that for example a colonial or contemporary type of design may be utilized. The bench is extremely versatile and in addition to serving its main function, the bench, by removing the blackboard assembly, can be easily and quickly converted to use as an attractive colonial type fireside bench, television bench, foot stool or the like. The device may have double duty so that it can "be used either as a double surface blackboard or as a blackboard and peg board. The unit is mobile and can be easily lifted and carried about and the glides '36 insure that floors will not be marked or damaged. The device is comfortable and less fatiguing to the child since the child need not stand to use the blackboard and the child sits in a comfortable seated position with the blackboard adjusted to the proper angle and positioned to suit his or her individual size.

The above description of the invention is for illustrative purposes only and it is understood that modifications may be made in-the construction within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

We claim:

1. Ina blackboard bench, a base including a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side members, a'-l1ori zontally disposed bottom wall extending between said side members and secured thereto, said side members each having a trapezoidal shape and wherein the lower portion of the 'sidemember is wider than the upper portion thereof, a horizontally disposed seat extending across the upper ends of said side members and secured thereto, horizontally disposed braces extending between the lower ends of said side members and secured thereto, horizontally disposed bars extending between the upper ends of said side members and secured thereto, said bars having their end portions extending beyond said side members, a pair of spaced parallel arms pivotally connected to said side members, a ledge extending between the intermediate portions of said arms and secured thereto, said ledge being provided with a slot, there being slots in the adjacent portions ofsaid arms, a cross piece extending between the upper ends of said arms and detachably connected to said arms, said cross piece having a slot in its lower edge, and a blackboard having its outer edge portions seated in said slots.

2. The structure as definedv in claim 1 wherein the projecting end portions of said bars are provided with beveled surfaces.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 and further including glides on the lower surface of said base.

4. In a blackboard bench, a base including a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side members, a horizontally disposed bottom wall extending between said'sid'e members and secured thereto,:said side members each:having a trapezoidal shape and wherein thelower portion of the sidexmember is wider than the upper portion thereof, a horizontally disposed seat extending across theupper ends of saidside members and secured thereto, horizontally disposed braces extending between the lower ends of said side members and secured thereto, horizontally disposed bars extending between the upper-ends of said side members and :secured thereto, said bars having their end portions extending beyond said side members, a pair of spaced parallel arms pivotally connected to said side members, a ledge extending between the intermediate portions of said arms and secured thereto, said ledge being provided with aslot, there being .slots in the .adjacent portions of said arms, across piece extending between the upper ends of said arms and detachably connected to said arms, said cross piece having a slot in its lower edge-i References Cited in the file of this patent a blackboard having its outer edge portions seated in sai slots, the projecting end portions of said bars being pro- UNITED STATES PATENTS vided with beveled surfaces, there being a plurality of 658,951 Kling Oct. 2, 1900 spaced apart openings in each of said side members, pivot 5 1,026,809 Kraus May 21, 1912 pins extending through the lower ends of said arms and 1,406,592 Watkins Feb. 14, 1922 through certain of said openings, molding strips secured 2,264,744 Dunnam Dec. 2, 1941 to said ledge, and glides mounted below said base. 2,681,809 Hamill June 22, 1954 5. The structure as defined in claim 4 and further in- 2,833,331 Train May 6, 1958 eluding an apertured peg rboard contiguous to said black- 10 board. 

